Angular Cap for Dispensing Liquids

ABSTRACT

A cap and container assembly is disclosed which may be used for human body cavity irrigation or other liquid dispensing activities. The cap may include a first channel extending from a base through a neck portion to an opening in a tip portion of the cap. A side body defining a second channel may extend from the first channel near the neck portion of the cap to an opening at a distal end of the side body. An axial dimension of the tip portion may extend at an angle relative to an axial dimension of the neck portion. Liquid may flow out of the first channel under the influence of gravity and as a result of control of air flow into the second channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/890,015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/862,067, filed on Sep. 22, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.Design patent application No. 29/492,386, filed May 30, 2014, and whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/053,515, filed on Sep. 22, 2014, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/053,531, filed on Sep. 22, 2014. The entire contentsof these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to methods and devices fordispensing liquids, including but not limited to lavage methods anddevices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Liquid dispensing container/cap assemblies for dispensing liquids areknown. For example, nasal rinsing and/or other body cavity irrigationassemblies and methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,669,059 and6,520,384. In these assemblies the cap may have a cylindrical lowerportion, a rounded convex upper portion curving away from an axiallyaligned opening located in the uppermost surface of the upper portion,an open lower end, and a tubular conduit connected to the uppermostinterior surface of the upper portion and having a hollow center axiallyaligned with the opening located in the upper portion. The container ofthese assemblies may have flexible sidewalls and an axially aligned neckconfigured to connect to the cap with a liquid tight connection. Theconduit of the cap can extend into the container when the cap andcontainer are joined together, or a flexible tube can be connected tothe conduit, which flexible tube extends into the container.

The assemblies disclosed in the '059 and '384 patents may be used in thefollowing manner. The user bends forward to a comfortable level, tiltingthe head slightly down and applies the cap snugly against the leftnostril with the cap upper opening directed into the left nasal passage.The container may be squeezed to force liquid to enter the left nasalpassage. The process is repeated applying the cap snugly against theright nostril. The liquid that was injected into the nasal passages willdrain from the nasal passages or the mouth. The user then gently blowsthe nose. Any unused portion of the liquid may be discarded and thedispenser assembly should be cleaned. Thus, the assemblies disclosed inthe '059 and '384 patents require the user or an assistant to squeezethe container to force liquid up into the nasal cavity as opposed tousing gravity to drain the liquid out of the container.

The assemblies disclosed in the '059 and '384 patents are not effectivefor gravity feed of liquid to a user's nasal or other body cavity for atleast two primary reasons. First, the conduit through which liquid flowsout of the cap in these known assemblies is co-axial with thelongitudinal axis of the liquid container. As a result, the degree towhich the user would comfortably tilt her head to present her sinuses inthe desired orientation to receive liquid for nasal rinsing, forexample, would not permit the container to be optimally oriented todispense liquid under the force of gravity. Accordingly, there is a needfor a cap which permits the user's head to be tilted to the desireddegree for nasal irrigation which also results in the liquid containerbeing positioned in a preferred, substantially vertical, orientation forliquid dispensing under the force of gravity.

Second, the assemblies disclosed in the '059 and '384 patents do notinclude a cap which vents air into a container in a manner that wouldpermit effective gravity feed of liquid to a user's nasal cavity fromthe container. In order for liquid to flow out of a fixed volume space(i.e., a container which is not squeezed) under the force of gravity,air must flow into the space to displace the liquid. The assembliesdisclosed in the '059 and '384 patents do not permit such venting sincethere is only one opening in the cap through which liquid must flow out,and air must flow in. Indeed, the ability to vent air into a liquidcontainer in a controlled, or even uncontrolled, manner when dispensingliquid under the influence of gravity is advantageous for all liquiddispensing activities, not just those associated with body cavityrinsing. Accordingly, there is a need for a cap which permits liquid toflow out and air to flow in to a liquid container simultaneously toallow effective dispensing of a liquid using gravity.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for apparatus and methods fordispensing a liquid to a nasal cavity in particular, but not limited tosuch use, which is simple to use, effective, and relatively inexpensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Responsive to the foregoing challenges, Applicant has developed aninnovative cap having an elongated body defining a first channelextending from an opening in a base portion of the elongated bodythrough a neck portion of the elongated body to an opening in a tipportion of the elongated body, a side body defining a second channelextending from the first channel near the neck portion of the elongatedbody to an opening at a distal end of the side body, wherein a terminusof the tip portion is sloped inward in a manner adapted to be receivedin a human body opening, wherein an axial dimension of the tip portionextends at an angle relative to an axial dimension of the neck portion,and wherein the base portion includes connection features adapted topermit the cap to be attached to a hand-held container.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to assist the understanding of this invention, reference willnow be made to the appended drawings, in which like reference charactersrefer to like elements. The drawings are exemplary only, and should notbe construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a container and cap assembly in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a container and cap assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a rear elevation view of a container and cap assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of a container and cap assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a container and cap assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an opposing side elevation view of a container and capassembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a container and cap assembly in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a container and cap assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of a container and cap assembly including anobturator/stopper in accordance with a first alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a container and cap assembly including anobturator/stopper in accordance with a second alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of a container and cap assembly including anobturator/stopper in accordance with a third alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a pictorial view of a container and cap assembly including anobturator/stopper in accordance with a fourth alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of a container and cap assembly including anobturator/stopper in accordance with a fifth alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 13 is a pictorial view of a container and cap assembly including anobturator/stopper in accordance with a sixth alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 14A-14B are pictorial views of a container and cap assemblyincluding an obturator/stopper in accordance with a seventh alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a pictorial view of a container and cap assembly including anobturator/stopper in accordance with an eighth alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 16A-16B are pictorial views of a container and cap assemblyincluding an obturator/stopper in accordance with a ninth alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to apparatus and method embodimentsof the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. With reference to FIGS. 1-7, in a firstembodiment of the invention, the throat wall 130 of a container 100 isconnected to the base portion 210 of the elongated body of a cap 200.The throat wall 130 may be connected to the base portion 210 by any of anumber of means, including but not limited to screw threads or snap-onfeatures. The container 100 may include an outer wall 110 which definesa space 120 for containing liquid. The liquid may be dispensed from thespace 120 to the cap 200 via the container throat 132. The container 100is preferably sized to be handheld.

The cap 200 may include an elongated body 202 defining a first channel222 extending from an opening in the base portion 210, through a neckportion 220, and to an opening in a tip portion 230 of the elongatedbody. The cap 200 may further include a side body 240 defining a secondchannel 242 extending from the first channel 222 near the neck portion220 of the elongated body to an opening at a distal end of the sidebody. The tip portion 230 may include a terminus 232 which is slopedinward so as to have a reduced dimension at its most distal end. Theshape of the terminus may be adapted to be received comfortably in ahuman body opening, such as, for example, a nostril or ear. Theforegoing reference to “near the neck portion” is intended to includethe portions of the cap 200 between the base 210 and the tip portionterminus 232.

With particular reference to FIG. 2, the tip portion 230 may have anaxial dimension that extends at an angle x relative to an axialdimension of the neck portion 220, wherein angle x is in the range ofbetween zero (0) and ninety (90) degrees. The side body 240 may have anaxial dimension that extends at an obtuse angle y relative to an axialdimension of the neck portion 220. The angle x may be selected to permitthe tip portion 230 to be comfortably and snuggly received in a user'sbody cavity, such as a nostril or ear, while at the same time permittingthe container 100 to be oriented such that liquid will flow from thecontainer under the influence of gravity. The angle y may be selected topermit a user to control the flow of air into the second channel 242 byhand when the container 100 is oriented such that liquid will flow fromthe container under the influence of gravity. Such control may beexercised by selectively covering the distal opening of the channel 242with a finger, or with an obturator or stopper (explained below). It isappreciated that one or both of the tip portion 230 and the side body240 may be flexible and capable of being adjusted to form variousdifferent angles x and y relative to the axial direction of the neckportion 220.

The relative diameters of the first channel 222 in the neck portion, thefirst channel in the tip portion 230, and the second channel 242, may besized/adapted to permit liquid to flow from the base portion 210 of thecap 200 through the tip portion 230 under the influence of gravity whileat the same time permitting air to flow into the first channel from thesecond channel. For example, to this end, the first channel 222 may havea reduced diameter 234 within the tip portion 230 relative to thediameter of the first channel in the neck portion 220. In a furtherexample, the diameter of the second channel 242 may be less than thediameter of the first channel 222. In a still further example, thereduced diameter 234 within the tip portion 230 may be less than thediameter of the second channel 242. In a still further example, thediameter of the second channel 242 may vary over its length, as shown inFIG. 10.

With reference to FIGS. 8-16B, the cap may also include an obturator orstopper 300 which may be provided by any of a number of differentshapes, sizes and designs. Each of the illustrated obturators orstoppers may be shaped and sized to cooperate with the shape of thesecond channel 242 and side body 240 so as to selectively block thesecond channel in whole or in part. Preferably, the obturator or stoppermay be adapted to be manipulated by hand to control the flow of air intothe second channel 242. For example, the obturator or stopper may have aplug shape (FIG. 8, 302), a rounded cone shape (FIG. 9, 304), afrusto-conical shape (FIG. 10, 306), a threaded conical shape (FIG. 11,308), a undulated shape (FIG. 13, 312), or a forked plug shape (FIG. 15,316). In each of the foregoing examples, the obturator or stopper 300may be detachable from the side body 240 of the cap 200. In furtherexamples, the obturator or stopper 300 may be permanently connected tothe side body 240 of the cap 200 by a hinge (FIG. 12, 310) and (FIGS.14A-14B, 314). In a still further example, the obturator or stopper 300may comprise an open and closable mouth (FIGS. 16A-16B, 318) which ispermanently connected to the side body 240.

The afore-described cap 200 may improve upon or even maximize the flowof a solution or liquid out of the container 100. The following is anexample of how the cap 200 may be used for a tissue irrigationapplication. An irrigation solution may be prepared and provided in thecontainer 100. The cap 200 may be connected to the container 100. Theterminus 232 of the tip portion 230 may be inserted into a nasalpassage, for example, on the right side (for the purposes of thisexample, the opening is initially inserted into the right side, but theuser may begin the treatment in either side, as applicable). Next theuser may tilt the head along with inserted cap to the left side suchthat the container 100 is inverted all while the second channel 242 ofthe cap 200 is blocked by a finger, obturator, or stopper. The finger,obturator, or stopper may be fully or partially removed from the secondchannel 242 at this point to allow solution to enter the nasal passageon the right side and come out from the left side. The user need notsqueeze the container 100 since the solution should flow under theinfluence of gravity. The user can continue irrigation as long asneeded, and the same procedure can be applied for the other nasalpassage. Manipulation of the user's finger, or of the obturator orstopper may be used to regulate the flow rate of the solution out of thecontainer 100 by regulating the flow of air into the second channel 242.If the user requires additional force of irrigation, the user cansqueeze the container 100 and use a finger, obturator or plug to blocksolution from coming out of the second channel 242. The diameter of thesecond channel 242 may be selected and controlled, but not necessarily,so that the container 100 may empty under the influence of gravity in amatter of seconds. The cap 200 may be designed to facilitate the smoothflow of liquids having various viscosities, weights and temperatures.The cap 200 may be manufactured as a single component, or it may becomprised of multiple components assembled as needed.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the invention may beembodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit oressential characteristics thereof. The functional elements and methodsteps described above are provided as illustrative examples of onetechnique for implementing the invention; one skilled in the art willrecognize that many other implementations are possible without departingfrom the present invention as recited in the claims. Accordingly, thedisclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, butnot limiting, of the scope of the invention. It is intended that thepresent invention cover all such modifications and variations of theinvention, provided they come within the scope of the appended claimsand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap comprising: an elongated body defining afirst channel extending from a first opening in a base portion of theelongated body through a neck portion of the elongated body to a secondopening in a tip portion of the elongated body; a side body defining asecond channel extending from the first channel near the neck portion ofthe elongated body to a third opening at a distal end of the side body,wherein the cap has only three openings and defines: a firstlongitudinal axis through a center of the first opening in the baseportion, a second longitudinal axis through the tip portion, and a thirdlongitudinal axis through the side body, wherein the first longitudinalaxis forms a first acute angle with the second longitudinal axis and thesecond longitudinal axis forms a second acute angle with the third axis,and wherein the base portion is adapted to couple to a container;wherein relative diameters of the first channel and the second channelare adapted to permit liquid to flow from the base portion to the tipportion under the influence of gravity while at the same time permittingair to flow into the first channel from the second channel.
 2. The capof claim 1, wherein the cap defines a first plane through the firstchannel and the second channel, and a second plane orthogonal to thefirst plane, said first plane and second plane including the firstlongitudinal axis, and the second opening and the third opening are on acommon side of the second plane.
 3. The cap of claim 2, wherein adiameter of the second channel is less than a diameter of the firstchannel.
 4. The cap of claim 2, further comprising an obturator orstopper, and wherein the second channel is shaped to be selectivelyblocked in whole or in part by the obturator or stopper.
 5. The cap ofclaim 4, wherein the obturator or stopper is adapted to be manipulatedby hand to control the flow of air into the second channel.
 6. The capof claim 4, wherein the obturator or stopper is permanently connected tothe side body.
 7. The cap of claim 4, wherein the second channel isshaped to fixedly receive the obturator or stopper.
 8. The cap of claim1, wherein a diameter of the second channel is less than a diameter ofthe first channel.
 9. The cap of claim 1, further comprising anobturator or stopper, and wherein the second channel is shaped to beselectively blocked in whole or in part by said obturator or stopper.10. The cap of claim 9, wherein the obturator or stopper is adapted tobe manipulated by hand to control the flow of air into the secondchannel.
 11. The cap of claim 9, wherein the obturator or stopper ispermanently connected to the side body.
 12. The cap of claim 9, whereinthe second channel is shaped to fixedly receive the obturator orstopper.
 13. The cap of claim 1, wherein an axial dimension of the sidebody extends at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis. 14.The cap of claim 13, further comprising an obturator or stopper, andwherein the second channel is shaped to be selectively blocked in wholeor in part by the obturator or stopper.
 15. The cap of claim 14, whereinthe obturator or stopper is adapted to be manipulated by hand to controlthe flow of air into the second channel.
 16. The cap of claim 14,wherein the obturator or stopper is permanently connected to the sidebody.
 17. The cap of claim 14, wherein the second channel is shaped tofixedly receive the obturator or stopper.